Clearview forms youth services committee
Clearview council is going ahead with plans to establish a facility that will provide a home for youth services in the township.
In support of an initiative first tabled by Deputy Mayor Barry Burton, councillors voted Oct. 26 to strike a new Clearview Youth Services committee.
Council approved a terms of reference for the committee Monday and applications for membership are now being accepted.
“This is an important initiative and I have had overwhelming support from people who want to be part of the committee,” said Burton.
The committee will be made up of two councillors and nine members appointed by council. Of the nine general members, they will be representatives of community and school organizations and members of the public at large.
The committee will oversee the management of the facility and its use, seek out other organizations and resources, fundraise, bring youth issues and opportunities to the forefront of the community and report back to council.
Deborah Bronée was the only councillor to vote against the formation of the committee.
“I still think we shouldn’t be leading the charge on this,” she said.
Councillor Doug Measures disagreed, saying leadership is what’s needed.
“The township needs to step up and show some leadership here,” he said adding it should be less about the space and more about programming.
“We need to support this but we need to keep a close eye on it,” said Measures.
The committee will work to fine tune the vision for youth services in Clearview.
“No one else is taking the lead. I am anxious to see how it will unfold,” said Councillor Shawn Davidson, adding the terms of reference is a starting point. “I want to see where this will go. Youth organizations are looking at it as a positive thing.”
According to the terms of reference, the committee’s mission is to advocate on behalf of all youth in Clearview, work with existing youth organizations to encourage and develop new opportunities for our youth to achieve leadership and social skills, positive scholastic levels and mental health wellness.
The goal is to create and manage a youth facility that will establish a safe location where youth can attend and use community services and government sponsored services; create a youth drop-in centre with positive mentorship, free of negative influences; help the youth of Clearview become productive and contributing members of the community; assist youth in transitioning into the responsibilities of adulthood; assist young people to showcase and develop their skills and talents; help initiate youth’s ideas and projects and make mental health counselling available to the youth of Clearview.
Applications are available online at www.clearview.ca or in person at the Clearview Administration Centre, located at 217 Gideon St. in Stayner. Applications are due by noon on Monday, Jan. 4. For more information, contact township clerk Pamela Fettes at 705-428-6230 ext. 224 or pfettes@clearview.ca.
